Former Warren pitcher drafted by Diamondbacks

UIC senior right-handed pitcher Adam Worthington of Gurnee was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday.

Worthington was taken by Arizona with the 15th pick in the 20th round (606th selection overall).

Worthington was spectacular in his first season as a starting pitcher after spending the last three seasons as a late-inning specialist, including two stints as the Flames' closer. He finished 2009 with a 3.48 ERA, allowing just 37 earned runs in 95.2 innings, to go along with 73 strikeouts and just 21 walks en route to the 2009 Horizon League Pitcher of the Year award and All-Horizon League First Team honors.

The former Warren Township High School star came into the 2009 season having thrown three-plus innings just eight times in three previous years at UIC. This past year he tossed three complete games, went seven innings or more on 10 occasions and turned in eight quality starts (at least six innings and no more than three earned runs allowed).

Worthington completed his collegiate career with the second-most appearances by a pitcher in a UIC uniform, taking the mound for the Flames 107 times from 2006-2009. He played a huge role in four consecutive Horizon League regular season titles, two League tournament championships and two trips to NCAA Regional play.